Raheem Sterling's dodgy penalty was football's latest phantom spot-kick — SunSport remembers EIGHT other ridiculous examples

Take last night when Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling stubbed his toe against Shakhtar Donetsk and ended up winning a penalty.


But while that might well go down as one of the most preposterous penalties ever awarded, Raheem does have some serious competition…

Arsenal v Liverpool, 1997

One of the most famous phantom penalties in history, Robbie Fowler’s spot-kick against Arsenal in 1997 is remarkable for the fact that the Liverpool striker didn’t even want it.

In fact, he really didn’t want it.

When he skipped round David Seaman in a one-on-one race, Fowler jumped over the Arsenal keeper before losing his footing and hitting the turf and even though there was no contact, referee Gerald Ashby awarded the penalty.

Despite lengthy protestations from Fowler who leapt to the defence of his England colleague, Ashby stuck by his decision to award the spot-kick. Up stepped Fowler but his effort was saved by Seaman, diving to his left, only for Jason McAteer to follow up and score.

At the time, Fowler was praised for his honesty, although if he really meant it he would have just rolled the ball into the arms of Seaman,wouldn’t he?

Dundalk v Derry City, 1988

For the most part, dodgy penalty decisions don’t really count for that much but in the Irish FA Cup Final in 1988 it proved be decisive.

And what a decision it was.

As Dundalk’s Larry Wyse dribbled into the Derry box, he went shoulder to shoulder with City’s Martin Bayly in the kind of challenge you see scores of times in an average game.

Wyse didn’t even stumble, yet alone go down, but the penalty was given and when John Cleary converted the spot-kick it was enough to give Dundalk a 1-0 win and the Cup.

Chelsea v West Bromich Albion, 2013

You know it’s a stinker of a decision when the head of of the Professional Game and Match Officials calls you to apologise.

That’s what happened to West Brom manager Steve Clarke when PGMOL chief Mike Riley phoned him after referee Andre Marriner awarded the most ridiculous of penalties deep into injury time during the Baggies' away day at Chelsea.

The visitors were all set for a mammoth away win at Stamford Bridge, leading 2-1 with moments to play, but when Ramires dived after a collision with Steven Reid, Marriner pointed to the spot.

When Eden Hazard levelled from the spot, it denied West Brom their first league win at Chelsea since 1978.


“We've had a phone call from Mike Riley to apologise," said boss Clarke later.

“He obviously feels it was the wrong decision. It doesn't get us any more points but it's nice of Mike to phone."

Atletico Junior v America de Cali, 2008

This is just brilliant. That is to say, it’s so brilliantly bad it’s hilarious.

A Colombian league game between Atletico Junior and American de Cali and when Atletico’s Emerson Acuna – nicknamed ‘The Parasite’ – drives into the box he launches himself into a glorious swandive.

The trouble is there isn’t a single opposition player within yards of him.

Not that it matters. Penalty.



The spot-kick is duly converted and Atletico go to win the game 2-0, thanks largely to what people now regard as one of the greatest dives of all time.

Check it out here. It really is top drawer.

Swindon v Grimsby, 2018

A League Two game at the County Ground in April 2018 and an absolute shocker from referee John Brooks.

With the game goalless, the Mariners’ striker Harry Caldwell latches on to a through ball and with Town defender Ryan McGivern a couple of yards behind him, he simply clips his own heels and collapses in a heap in the Swindon Box.

Penalty.

Up steps Mitchell Rose to score the only goal of the game before running behind the goal to taunt the Swindon fans still further.

All nine of them.

Nigeria v Argentina, 2011

Sometimes it’s not just basic incompetence or failing eyesight that’s to blame for poor penalty decisions.

Take the international friendly between Nigeria and Argentina in Abuja in June 2011.

With Nigeria leading 4-0 against a second-string Argentina side, referee Ibrahim Chaibou inexplicably awarded a penalty against Efe Ambrose for handball when it was clear the ball had only hit the player’s leg.

What compounded matters was that it came in the 98th minute despite only five minutes of injury time being indicated.

With the penalty scored and the game ending 4-1, Fifa announced they were launching an investigation into the game amid reports of heavy betting on five goals being scored in the match.

It wasn’t the first time Charibou had been investigated by FIFA but he maintained his innocence.

He said: "The people from Fifa have already asked me. They asked me all the questions about this goal. They asked around everywhere, a bit to everyone.

"I judged it to be a penalty, so I gave a penalty to make everyone happy. That's it."

Manchester City v Manchester United, 1996

A fifth round FA Cup tie and a Manchester derby to savour at Old Trafford. Well, it was until referee Alan Wilkie intervened.

With City leading thanks to an Uwe Rosler goal, Ryan Giggs swings a corner over and Wilkie is possibly the only person in the ground to see City’s Michael Frontzeck holding Eric Cantona.

There’s a good reason for that though. He wasn’t.

City boss Alan Ball would call it a “bizarre decision”, adding: “Nobody in the crowd could believe it. There was confusion on every player’s face.”

Inevitably, Cantona would score the penalty and United would go on to win a league and cup double. City, meanwhile, would be relegated on the final day of the season.


Universidad de Concepion v Colo Colo, 2018

Finally, we head to Chile to meet Jean Meneses, one of the greatest exponents of the dive you’re ever likely to see.

Earlier this year the midfielder lined up for Universidad de Concepion against Alexis Sanchez’s old club Colo Colo and with just five minutes to play and the game poised at 1-1, Meneses challenges for the ball with Oscar Opazo.

With the Colo Colo defender off the pitch and prostrate, Meneses throws himself to the ground, rolling around in agony even though there isn’t the slightest hint of contact.

With the penalty converted and a 2-1 win wrapped up, Meneses admitted he’d conned the ref.

“One has to take advantage of the fact that attackers cannot be touched inside the penalty area,” he said. “I was a little crafty and fell when I felt contact.”

Even though there wasn’t any.

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